Breast Support Apparatus

ABSTRACT

What is provided is a breast support apparatus comprising a pillow comprising an inner core and concave sides; wherein the pillow is shaped to be placed between a user&#39;s breasts to be capable of providing support to the user&#39;s breasts for a user in a substantially horizontal side lying position, wherein the concave sides are shaped to be capable of making contact with one or more portions of the user&#39;s breasts between the user&#39;s breasts; and one or more gripper portions located on at least part of the concave sides that are capable of gripping the user&#39;s skin to retain the pillow between the user&#39;s breasts without requiring the use of straps or a garment to hold the pillow between the user&#39;s breasts for a user in a substantially horizontal side lying position.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/521,107, filed on Aug. 8, 2011.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to a device for supporting breast tissue.

BACKGROUND

It may be desirable to support breast tissue to attempt to prevent cleavage wrinkles from forming between a woman's breasts. It may be desirable to support breast tissue for comfort, such as for pre-surgical and/or post-surgical patients. It may be desirable to support breast tissue while a person is in a horizontal or prone position, such as in a side sleeping position, to aid in preventing and/or reducing upper chest wrinkles and/or wrinkles from forming in the skin between the breasts. In some instances, it is desirable to provide support to breasts to restrict their lateral movement during sleep, including but not limited to, instances where breast tissue is swollen, such as for pregnant or nursing women with swollen breasts, or where breast tissue is healing, such as for post-surgical patients having had breast surgery. It may also be desirable to restrict lateral breast movement during sleep in a side position to prevent and/or reduce neck pain for larger breasted women caused by side sleeping.

Breast support apparatuses that restrict breast tissue movement where a user is in a horizontal position, such as during sleep, are known in the art. For example, there exist support apparatuses that are bra like and have straps extending around a user's chest and/or over a user's shoulders. U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,160 is one such example of an oblong/elongated shaped support pillow to be worn between a user's breasts, having a neck strap and a bust strap. It is comprised of a soft outer cover stuffed with polyester fiberfill. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,555 discloses a cylindrical bolster comprised of a shapeable deformable resilient central support, such as a semi-firm foam rubber, that may be tied into place between a user's breasts by a belt tied around a user's chest or retained by a sleeping garment. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,144,295 and 6,769,955 teach a bra with an oval pad that is fixed in shape with two concave cut-out portions on the interior/back side to fit into the breast area. U.S. Pat. No. 7,001,239 teaches a hollow rigid support to be worn between a user's breasts while in a side sleeping position which is secured in place by wearing a sleeveless top. U.S. Patent Application No. 2009/0047868 teaches a bra with a support pad and used with medication aimed to prevent cleavage wrinkles between the breasts. However, these known breast support apparatuses require use of a bra, straps or a garment to maintain the support in place between a user's breasts during use in a side sleeping position.

SUMMARY

A breast support apparatus for supporting breast tissue for a user in a horizontal position, such as but not limited to during sleep in a side position, is provided. The breast support apparatus comprises a pillow capable of being worn between the breasts of a user to support the breasts. In various embodiments, the pillow is substantially trapezoidal in shape with concave portions on its sides. It is comprised of a gripper material, such as but not limited to silicon, on its sides that acts to grip a user's skin so as to retain the pillow between the breasts, such as in a side position while a user is horizontal or prone, without requiring straps about the user's chest or neck. In some embodiments, the pillow is comprised of a wicking material to wick moisture away from a user. In some embodiments, the pillow is comprised of an outer core of a resilient material, such as memory foam, with a harder foam inner core for stabilization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Claimed subject matter, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description if read with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a breast support apparatus embodiment;

FIG. 1 a is an embodiment of a breast support apparatus shown positioned between a user's breasts;

FIG. 2 is a back view of a breast support apparatus embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a breast support apparatus embodiment without a cover;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a breast support apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a breast support apparatus; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of a breast support apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter.

Referring to FIG. 1, a breast support apparatus embodiment is shown. The breast support apparatus includes pillow 100. Pillow 100 is shaped to fit between a user's breasts, including but not limited to, for a user in a substantially horizontal or prone position, such as in a side-sleeping position. Pillow 100 has a front face 101, a back face (not shown), a top surface 102 and a bottom surface 104. Front face 101 may face toward a user while being worn between a user's breasts, such that it makes at least partial contact with a user's chest. In some embodiments, front face 101 may contain ornamental or decorative elements, such as but not limited to, stitching, one or more logos, pictures and/or words, but claimed subject matter is not so limited. Other embodiments do not include such embellishments. In some embodiments, front face 101 may be comprised of and/or covered by a fabric, such as but not limited to, a soft and/or breathable fabric or a wicking material, so as to provide comfort to a user while being worn.

Pillow 100 is of a sufficient length to provide at least some support to a user's breasts by providing support between a user's breasts for a user in a substantially horizontal side lying position. As shown in FIG. 1 a, pillow 100 may be placed against a user's chest between the breasts. Pillow 100 makes at least partial contact with the area between the breasts and inner portions of the breasts. In this embodiment, pillow 100 is generally of sufficient length between top surface 102 and bottom surface 104 to extend substantially the length of and/or at least slightly above and below inner portions a user's breasts located between the breasts. However, various lengths of pillow 100 are possible within the scope of claimed subject matter.

In this particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1, pillow 100 is substantially trapezoidal in shape with concave sides 106. In this particular embodiment, top surface 102 has a longer length than bottom surface 104. Other shapes for pillow 100, such as but not limited to, hour glass and rectangular, are possible within the scope of claimed subject matter. Pillow 100 is shaped so as to provide support for breasts while a user is in a sideways lying position by providing support between a user's breasts. Concave sides 106 are generally shaped to be capable of accommodating at least a portion of a user's breast therein, so as to cup one or more inner portions of a user's breasts placed in contact therewith. Different embodiments may have differently sized concave sides 106 so as to fit breasts of different cup sizes therein. In this particular embodiment, concave sides 106 are shaped to make at least partial contact with one or more inside portions of a user's breasts, so as to provide support thereto.

Pillow 100 may be comprised of a semi-firm core, such as a semi-firm foam, that is capable of providing support and/or stabilizing pillow 100. In other embodiments, pillow 100 may have an inner core made of various other materials known in the art, including but not limited to, firm foam, closed cell foam, sponge, padding, or other light-weight support materials. Other embodiments may include inner support elements (not shown), such as a plastic tube or other support material that is covered by a softer material, such as but not limited to soft or semi-firm foam. Pillow 100 may be made of various materials capable of providing support to breast tissue by providing support between a user's breasts and/or separating a user's breasts, and claimed subject matter is not limited to a particular material. In some embodiments, pillow 100 may be comprised of a core made of a breathable material so as to provide comfort to a user and/or to wick moisture away from a user.

In some embodiments, pillow 100 may be comprised of a resilient outer core, such as but not limited to, polyurethane or memory foam, so as to be capable of compressing between a user's breasts to the general shape of the inner portions of the breasts when in contact therewith, so as to provide support between the breasts, and also capable of rebounding to substantially its original shape when not in contact with a user's breasts. In other embodiments, pillow 100 may have an outer core made of various other materials known in the art, including but not limited to low resilience polyurethane foam, visco-elastic polyurethane foam, higher density heat reactive polyurethane foam, temper foam, or non-resilient materials such as but not limited to foam, feathers, down, synthetic down, synthetic pillow filler materials, and other materials known in the art. Further embodiments may not include outer core, but rather consist of an inner core without a different outer core material.

In various embodiments, concave sides 106 are comprised of gripper material 108 that is capable of gripping a user's skin to retain pillow 100 between a user's breasts without the use of neck, shoulder and/or bust straps, or use of a garment. Gripper material 108 may be made of various materials, including but not limited to, silicon, rubber, synthetic rubber, polypropylene, neoprene, non-skid materials, laminates, temporary or removable adhesives and/or other materials known in the art that are capable of gripping a user's skin. Gripper material 108 may be sewn, glued, heat sealed, stitched, painted on, velcroed, snapped, zipped, hooked, clasped or otherwise affixed, attached or connected to pillow 100. Various other affixing, attaching and connecting modes, methods and means are known in the art, and claimed subject matter is not intended to be limited to these particular examples.

Pillow 100 may also have a cover 110. Cover 110 may be made of cloth, such as but not limited to, polartec® or other performance or knit fleece fabrics, and/or a wicking material capable of wicking moisture away from a user's skin. Cover 110 may be made of a soft material so as to be comfortable for a user. Cover 110 may be washable. In some embodiments, cover 110 may fasten about pillow 100 by various means known in the art, such as by Velcro, snaps, zipper, buttons, ties, fabric fold, or may fit about pillow 100 as a pillow case. Cover 110 may form fit to pillow 100 and/or fit more loosely about pillow 100. Claimed subject matter is not intended to be limited to a particular fastener or cover fit.

In embodiments having cover 110, cover 110 may include gripper portions 108. In this embodiment, gripper material 108 may be sewn, glued, heat sealed, stitched, painted on, velcroed, snapped, zipped, hooked, clasped or otherwise affixed, attached or connected to cover 110. Various other attachment methods, modes and means are known in the art. In other embodiments, gripper portions 108 may form one or more panels of cover 110, such as panels covering at least a portion of concave sides 106 and/or at least a portion of concave sides 106 and front face 101. Other embodiments may include gripper portions 108 on all outer surfaces of pillow 100 or on surfaces in addition to concave sides 106. For embodiments not having cover 110, gripper portions 108 may be directly affixed, attached or connected to pillow 100, such as by the example fasteners described above. Cover 110 may be made of more than one material and/or materials of different colors for different panels so as to have a decorative appearance, in addition to providing the functionality described herein. Claimed subject matter is not so limited.

Cover 110 may comprise one or more pieces connected together. It may include stitching that may be decorative or ornamental, in addition to or instead of functioning to keep cover pieces together. Cover 110 may form fit to pillow 100 and/or more loosely attached about pillow 100 in various embodiments. Cover 110 may contain other ornamental decorations, such as logos, pictures, words or other decorative elements. Claimed subject matter is not so limited.

In various embodiments, pillow 100 may be useful for nursing users so as to provide comfort to the breasts by providing support to swollen breast tissue between the breasts. Similarly, pillow 100 may be useful for post-surgical patients having had breast surgery so as to provide support to breast tissue. Pillow 100 may be useful for users attempting to prevent cleavage wrinkling between the breasts due to side sleeping. Pillow 100 may be useful for larger breasted women so as to provide comfort while lying in a sideways or prone position by providing support between the breasts. Pillow 100 may be convenient to use because it does not require neck, bust, shoulder or other straps to retain it between a user's breasts during use in a sideways lying down position. Claimed subject matter is not limited to a particular use, such as the examples discussed above.

FIG. 2 is a back view of a breast support apparatus embodiment. Pillow 200 has a back face 203, a top surface 202, a bottom surface 204 and concave sides 206. Back face 203 is substantially flat and generally faces away from a user's chest while pillow 100 is positioned between a user's breasts. Back face 203 may be made of or covered with a breathable material, such as but not limited to a wicking material for comfort. In this embodiment, pillow 200 has a cover 210. Cover 210 is shown with a fabric flap enclosure 212 that is used for placing and retaining pillow 200 inside cover 210. However, other various closure methods, means and modes known within the closure art may be used to retain cover 210 about pillow 200.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a breast support apparatus without a cover. Pillow 300 has a front face 301, back face (not shown), top surface 302 and a bottom surface 304. Pillow 300 had concave sides 306, upon which a gripper material (as discussed above with reference to FIG. 1) may be attached, connected and/or affixed. For example, a gripper material may be a paintable material brushed onto concave sides 306 in some embodiments. In this embodiment, pillow 300 is made of a semi-firm foam that is capable of providing support and/or stabilizing pillow 300, but other materials of sufficient density so as to be capable of providing support between a user's breasts while the user in is a sideways horizontal position are possible within the scope of claimed subject matter.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a breast support apparatus 400 showing top surface 402. It this embodiment, top surface 402 is substantially semi-circular in shape. In other embodiments it may be trapezoidal, rectangular, oval, oblong, elliptical, pentagonal, hexagonal, heart, circular, triangular or polygonal in shape, among other various possible shapes. Top surface 402 may be covered with a cover 410 in some embodiments. Cover 410 may contain potions comprising gripper material 408 in some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a breast support apparatus 500 showing bottom surface 504. Bottom surface 504 may be of various shapes, such as but not limited to substantially trapezoidal, rectangular, triangular, heart, polygonal or other shapes. Bottom surface 504 may be covered with a cover in some embodiments, and is shown here with stitching 512 fastening cover 510 about pillow 500.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a breast support apparatus 600 showing a concave side 606. Concave side 606 is comprised of gripper material 608. In this embodiment, gripper material 608 is substantially ellipse shaped with tapered ends. However, various other shapes are possible, such as but not limited to, ellipse, oval, tear shaped, rectangular, oblong, diamond, triangular or heart, among other examples. Concave side 606 is shaped so as to make at least partial contact with a user's breast tissue between a user's breasts so as to provide support thereto. Concave side 606 may have different curvatures and/or depths in different embodiments so as to fit various sized breasts and/or various cup sizes. Gripper material 608 is capable of making at least partial contact with a user's skin if positioned between the breasts and acts to retain pillow 600 between the breasts without requiring the use of neck, shoulder and/or bust straps or a garment for a user in a substantially horizontal prone position, such as in a side sleeping position.

In the preceding description, various aspects of claimed subject matter have been described. For purposes of explanation, systems and configurations were set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter. However, these are merely example illustrations of the above concepts wherein other illustrations may apply as well, and the scope of claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that claimed subject matter may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features were omitted and/or simplified so as not to obscure claimed subject matter. While certain features have been illustrated and/or described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and/or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and/or changes as fall within the true spirit of claimed subject matter. 

1. A breast support apparatus, comprising: a pillow comprising a top, a bottom, an inner core and concave sides; wherein the to is longer than the bottom; wherein the pillow is shaped to be placed between a user's breasts with the to residing substantially near the to of the user's breasts and the bottom residing substantially near the bottom of the user's breasts, to be capable of providing support to the user's breasts for a user in a substantially horizontal side lying position, wherein the concave sides are shaped to be capable of making contact with one or more portions of the user's breasts between the user's breasts; and one or more gripper portions located on at least part of the concave sides that are capable of gripping a user's skin to retain the pillow between the user's breasts without requiring the use of straps or a garment to hold the pillow between the user's breasts for the user in a substantially horizontal side lying position.
 2. The breast support apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cover capable of being removably fitted around said pillow, wherein said gripper portions are located on said cover, and wherein said cover is washable.
 3. The breast support apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cover is comprised at least in part of a wicking fabric capable of wicking moisture away from at least a portion of the user's breast.
 4. The breast support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said concave sides are substantially arc shaped so as to be substantially contoured to a curvature of the user's breasts.
 5. The breast support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inner core is comprised at least in part of memory foam.
 6. The breast support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pillow is adapted to separate the user's breasts.
 7. The breast support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pillow is adapted to substantially prevent or reduce cleavage wrinkles between the user's breasts.
 8. The breast support apparatus of claim wherein said pillow is adapted to provide lateral support between the user's breasts.
 9. The breast support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gripper portions are adapted to grip one or more inner portions of the user's breasts.
 10. A breast support apparatus, comprising: a pillow having concave sides that are arc shaped and contoured to substantially match a curvature of one or more inner portions of a user's breasts; wherein said pillow is shaped to be placed between a user's breasts and is adapted to provide lateral support to the user's breasts between the user's breasts; wherein said pillow comprises an inner core and a cover capable of being removably fitted around said inner core; wherein said cover comprises two or more gripper portions located on said cover over said concave sides, wherein said gripper portions are capable of gripping a user's skin to retain the pillow between the user's breasts without any straps or garment to hold the pillow between the user's breasts.
 11. The breast support apparatus of claim 10 wherein said inner core comprises memory foam.
 12. The breast support apparatus of claim 10 wherein said cover comprises a wicking material.
 13. The breast support apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pillow further comprises a top and a bottom, wherein said top is longer than said bottom, and wherein said pillow is adapted to provide further support to a user's chest due to the to being longer than the bottom.
 14. The breast support apparatus of claim 10 wherein said cover is washable.
 15. The breast support apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pillow is washable.
 16. The breast support apparatus of claim 10 wherein said gripper portions are capable of gripping a user's skin on one or more inner portions of the user's breasts.
 17. The breast support apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pillow is adapted to separate the user's breasts.
 18. The breast support apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pillow is capable of helping to prevent or substantially reduce or eliminate wrinkles or creases between the user's breasts.
 19. The breast support apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pillow is capable of providing support for a user in a side-sleeping position.
 20. The breast support apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pillow and cover are comprised of one or more soft resilient materials without any hard surfaces. 